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This Week's Sermon:
"Touching God"
Rev. Jim MacDonald
Fifth Sunday in Lent
You are welcome to be a part of our worship service this week at 10:30 a.m. in person or online.
For in-person worship, masks are optional. Please feel free to continue to wear them as you feel comfortable.
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Touching God
In the Gospel of John, chapter 12, Mary kneels and pours out costly perfume at Jesus’ feet, filling the house with fragrance. It’s a moment of true worship—unmeasured, uncalculated, entirely given. But her touch is not the beginning. It is a response. She has already been touched—by love, by grace, by the resurrection of her brother, Lazarus. Meanwhile, Judas remains untouched, unmoved, and distant.
This Sunday, we reflect on what it means to be touched by God—and how only then can we truly kneel and touch God back.
Join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as we worship together on the fifth Sunday of Lent.
Rev. Jim MacDonald
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In joy and sorrow, flowers are our constant friends.
It is a wonderful tradition at St. Andrew's to display an assortment of flowers in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, in remembrance of family and friends, whom we have loved and lost.
Once again, the Decorating Committee is happy to provide a selection of colourful and beautiful spring flowers and plants, to be on display, as we gather for worship at Easter, and for several weeks thereafter.
This tribute is made possible by your generous financial donations. Your gift to help us purchase these special arrangements is very much appreciated. Envelopes will be provided in the church bulletins from March 30th to April 13th for those who would care to dedicate memorial flowers. Your name, along with the name of the person you are remembering, will be published in the Easter Sunday bulletin. Tax receipts will be issued for all contributions.
Thank you for helping us continue this beautiful expression of remembrance and hope.
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Easter Gift Bags
As we come up to the season of Lent, we ask that you consider those less fortunate than yourselves. We will be seeking donations during Lent to help contribute to Easter Gift Bags for those families and individuals our church helps to support.
Along with baked goodies and Easter treats, we will be providing store gift cards to help offset the rising cost of food that so many of us face.
We thank you in advance for any support you may be able to give to this worthwhile project. For more information please contact John Hazlewood or any member of the Evangelism and Outreach Committee. Thank you for helping us share the love and compassion of Christ this Easter season!
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Tuesday, April 8, 2025 @ 10AM
St. Andrews Men's Breakfast, Coffee and Chat
All men of the congregation and friends are welcome to join us for breakfast, coffee and chat at the Halibut House on 3 Wootten Way North, Markham (near NE corner Highway 7 & Wooten Way) on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 10:00 am.
Note that this event is on a different day than previously.
For more information, contact Ross.
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Upcoming Presentation: The Gift of Planning
Hosted by Rev. Jim MacDonald and Tricia Stanton
What legacy will you leave—not just in what you give, but in the plans you make?
Join us for The Gift of Planning, a thoughtful and informative presentation co-hosted by Rev. Jim MacDonald and Tricia Stanton, Manager of Volunteers and Community Programs at Evergreen Hospice.
Date: Sunday, April 13th
Time: ~12:20 p.m.
Location: Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church – Markham
Rev. Jim will open the session by reflecting on the importance of having a current will, and how intentional charitable giving—whether now or in the future—can be a meaningful part of your legacy. From gifts of securities to tax-smart giving strategies, thoughtful planning today can make a lasting impact tomorrow.
Following that, Tricia Stanton, a Lead Trainer in Advance Care Planning with Evergreen Hospice, will guide us in reflecting on and sharing our personal values and care preferences. “These conversations—gentle, early, and honest—help ensure that those we love understand how we hope to live and be cared for, even if we can’t speak for ourselves.”
Together, these two perspectives offer a holistic view of how planning ahead—both practically and relationally—is a profound gift to ourselves and to those we love.
This session is open and relevant to adults of all ages and life stages. We hope you’ll join us.
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Come join The Village Voices Choir on May 10th at 3pm for "My Heart Soars"; a concert of pure joy and hope for the future, filled with modern Canadian Music by contemporary Canadian composers and arrangers!
The Village Voices encourage you to purchase your tickets online. It is easy and costs the same amount as tickets purchased through choir members or at the door. You are encouraged to purchase your tickets early as they may have to limit tickets due to space issues.
The Village Voices will be performing at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Markham with a string quintet and a percussion duo along with the wonderful Adolfo DeSantis on piano, so it's going to be very exciting!
Let's celebrate, Canada!
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Calendar
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Want to know what's Coming Soon? Stay up to date on all the happenings at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Markham by visiting the Events page on our website at StAndrews-Markham.ca/events. |
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Easter is a season of powerful, hope-filled music—and even if you can’t sing with the choir year-round, your voice is especially welcome to help lead the joyful and moving worship of this sacred time. Speak to Alex Szucs about adding your voice to our Easter song.
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Interested in becoming a member of St. Andrew’s or simply learning more? A new members class is forming soon—no date yet, so reach out to Rev. Jim to express your interest, and we’ll work out the dates together.
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If you have a prayer request—whether you’d like it shared with the congregation or kept confidential—please place it in the prayer request box in the Narthex and let us know your preference; your prayers are important, and we are honoured to lift them up.
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🎶 What’s Your Favourite Hymn?
A few folks have already shared their cherished hymns—thank you! But we’d love to hear from even more of you.
Is there a hymn that lifts your spirit, brings back a meaningful memory, or has walked with you through a season of life? Rev. Jim would love to know.
Email him at minister@standrewsmarkham.ca or feel free to pull him aside after worship this Sunday!
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Support for Out of the Cold
Our church has transitioned its sandwich ministry from Evangel Hall to our local Out of the Cold, now operating at Wideman Mennonite Church on Markham Road. Out of the Cold provides basic physical needs of shelter, food and warm clothing for the less fortunate members of our community.
With the support of the Let’s Do Lunch and Lunch and Mingle teams, we are now providing Friday and Saturday night meals twice a month, along with sandwiches for each of those weekends.
Upcoming ministry dates:
📅 April 4 & 25 | May 2 & 23 | June 6
For health and safety, all meal preparation must take place in our church kitchen. Two dedicated teams of volunteers, led by Victoria Banfield and Cate Bokhout, are coordinating the sandwich-making efforts.
Would you like to help? Whether through hands-on preparation or other support, your participation is welcome! Please reach out to Victoria or Cate to get involved. Together, let’s serve with love and compassion!
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Faith & Fellowship at St. Andrew's
Wednesdays 10AM - 11AM
Scott Room
We are a Bible Study group who meet in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Our discussions help us to concentrate on God's Word and to remember He is still in control.
Join us! You will be warmly welcomed.
Betty Taylor
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Switched on Seniors
Join us Thursday Apr 10, for a presentation from Heart to Home Meals, a Canadian meal delivery service for seniors. Following our presentation join us for lunch! Everyone is welcome, hope we see you there!
For more info visit www.switchedonseniors.com.
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Prayer is an essential part of our spiritual journey and a powerful way to connect with God and each other. Every other Wednesday, members of our community come together over Zoom to pray, share their concerns and joys, and lift up each other in faith. If you are looking for a safe and supportive environment to explore the power of prayer and connect with your St. Andrew's family, then you are invited to join one, or all, of the prayer sessions noted below scheduled at 12 p.m. Click the button below to join.
If you are unable to attend this upcoming prayer session, consider marking your calendar with the 2025 dates listed below.
April 16
April 30
May 14
May 28
June 11
June 25
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Prayer Requests for Our Community
This week, please consider adding the following to your prayer time:
1. On World Health Day, we pray for PWS&D partners who walk alongside those living with tuberculosis, HIV, leprosy and malaria, providing support and hope as they strive toward a healthy future.
2. We pray for farmers as they prepare for the upcoming growing season, that they might feel your presence in the land as keenly now as at creation. May they know times of rest and rejuvenation even in the midst of their work.
3. We give thanks for the growing diversity within congregations and the denomination that enriches us and helps us reflect the intercultural family of God.
How can we pray for you?
Do you have a prayer request? Send your prayer requests to standrews1@bell.net or call the church office at 905-294-4736 and they will be shared in confidence with our prayer team.
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To check out and order any of the unique one-of-a-kind creations from the Iona Stitchers Team, click here.
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Just A Thought
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Nelson Henderson
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This Lent, join the Presbyterians Read book study facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Emily Bisset to discuss Dr. Scott R. Paeth’s introduction to the life, thought and influence of Richard and Reinhold Niebuhr—The Niebuhr Brothers for Armchair Theologians. To find out more visit Presbyterian.ca.
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Evangel Hall
Clothing:
Evangel Hall needs men's & women's new underwear, men's & women's sweatpants & hoodies, warm sweaters, spring coats, shirts/blouses, pants, sweat pants & jeans, and more. Visit their website for more needed items. Clothing donations are given to Evangel Hall on the fourth Wednesday.
Markham Food Bank
This week consider donating a non-perishable item(s) to the Markham Food Bank. Donations can be dropped off in the narthex. Alternatively, you may make a cash donation. Simply, write Markham Food Bank on your offering envelope and we will ensure the funds are forwarded.
Here is a list of items in high demand:
Small and Large Bags of Rice
Individually Wrapped Snacks for School
Hot Cereal (Instant Oatmeal, Oats)
Instant Coffee
Jam
Canned Salmon and Sardines
Canned Evaporated Milk
Vegetarian Soups
Habitant Soup
Cooking Oil
Kidney Beans
Peanut Butter
Cake Mixes
Juice
Canned Fruit
Diapers (sizes 5 and 6)
Formula (stage 2 and 3)
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Thank you for your continued support. Tithes and offerings are an important part of our faith and we are thankful for your willingness to give and support our ministry and community. Your contributions help us continue to spread our message of love and compassion to those in need. There are a number of ways you can give this week.
1. Interac E-Transfer
Send an e-transfer to givetostandrews@gmail.com. Be sure to include your first & last name, contact information, and envelope number (if you have one) in the message box so we can issue you a tax receipt.
2. Mail
Submit your tithes and offerings by mail, by sending a check to the church's address. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 143 Main Street North, Markham ON, L3P 1Y2. For your convenience, post-dated cheques are also accepted.
3. Offering Plate
You can place your offering in the plate during any of our in-person worship services. In each pew, you’ll find envelopes that can be filled out to ensure you receive a tax receipt at the end of the year. For those who prefer this traditional method, personalized, numbered offering envelopes are also available—just contact the church administrator to request yours.
4. Mobile Device
Use your smartphone to give securely via Debit or Credit card, even while sitting in the pews! Simply scan the QR code available in the sanctuary with your mobile device to give instantly through Tithe.ly or click here.
5. PAR Program
Pre-Authorized Remittance allows for a monthly withdrawal from your bank account. Contact Alex Szucs or the church office for more information.
6. Credit/Debit Card
You can now give using your credit or debit card in two easy ways:
- In-Person: Use our new credit/debit card terminal to make a donation during any of our in-person services. Please note that this option requires additional processing steps to ensure we can provide a tax receipt.
- Online: We’ve recently upgraded our giving platform to make it easier and more secure to give via Tithe.ly. Tithe.ly is the simplest way to give a single gift using your credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or debit card (Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard) online. As an option, you can also choose to cover the Tithe.ly fees.
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Join our Worship Service by Computer/Tablet/Smartphone
You are welcome to join us 15 minutes before the service. If you are logging in from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, simply click the button below.
The meeting ID is 786 2061 5001. Enter password 4736 if necessary.
Join our Worship Service by Telephone (for those who don't have Internet access)
Connect by telephone on Sunday as early as 10:15 am.
It's a local phone call to Zoom conferencing, along with a meeting ID and password.
1. Call one of these local phone numbers for Zoom: 647-374-4685 or 647-558-0588.
2. When asked, type in the meeting ID: 786 2061 5001 #.
3. Skip participant ID by pressing #.
4. Enter password: 4736 #.
This will be the same information each Sunday at 10:20 am.
Please consider passing this information on to anyone who might benefit.
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We invite you to join us on our YouTube channel and be a part of our worship service. The live stream is available every Sunday at 10:25 am and you can join by clicking the button below. Be sure to say good morning in the chat and let us know where you are watching from and what you enjoy about the service. To help us build our online community, we encourage you to subscribe to our channel to receive notifications for future services and updates.
Looking for past services? You will find them on our channel under the "Live" tab.
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